For piano keys to have that “new piano” feel a quality set of key bushings is essential. Felt bushings are to piano keys as piston rings are to the pistons of an automobile engine. Without piston rings, pistons would clatter loosely and ineffectually inside their cylinders. Likewise, without key bushings, the wooden keysticks would...
The quiet operation of the keys of your piano depends upon three sets of felts (front rail punchings, balance rail punchings and back rail cloth) that function as cushions. Besides their ability to absorb unwanted sounds, these felts are also important in determining both the height of the keys and the depth of the...
The Achilles heel of Yamaha, Kawai and other Asianmade pianos is a hammer butt assembly that relies upon a small braided cord to hold an essential spring in check. After years of use this cord is prone to breaking (as shown in photo on cover), which causes the piano action to perform unsatisfactorily.
A piano with a beautiful and durable set of keytops is more likely to be appreciated than one with a beatup set of keys. The luxurious feel of topquality keytops invites one to sit down and play the piano. On the other hand, when old keytops have become discolored, chipped or broken off altogether,...
The proper touch on your piano depends on it being regulated. To many pianists, a piano’s touch is as important as its tone. Touch refers to the efficiency and responsiveness of the mechanical action of the piano, and is what is responsible for giving a piano its full range of power from the silkiest...
Many spinet pianos manufactured during the 1950’s and ’60’s were outfitted with plastic parts which after decades of use are beginning to weaken and break. One of the most common of plastic parts to fail is what’s known as an elbow an integral part of a number of models of spinets.
A beautiful set of genuine ivory keytops on a vintage piano is becoming more and more of a rarity. Many ivory keysets on older instruments have suffered from wear and tear over the years, and are not particularly attractive. Bringing an original set of ivory back to “factoryfresh” condition is at times possible when...
The hammers on your piano have reached the point where routine maintenance in the form of filing off the outer wear layer would be of benefit. The result would be heard in a crisper, cleaner tone more like what the piano sounded like when it was in the showroom as a new instrument.
One repair which at some point needs to be performed on your piano is the job of bridle strap replacement. For this job, the action (removable working mechanism) of the piano would need to be removed and transported to my shop. I would be glad to work with you to find a convenient time to...